Hong Kong to ditch controversial extradition bill after months of protests

Tim Baker|John Dunne @jhdunne4 September 2019

Hong Kong has withdrawn the controversial extradition bill that sparked months of protests in the city.

Embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced in a television broadcast this morning that the Government will “formally withdraw” the proposed law.

People in Hong Kong were worried that the law would allow extradition to the mainland where the judiciary is controlled by Xi Jinping’s Communist Party of China.

Protests against the bill in the former British colony began in March but snowballed in June and have since evolved into a push for greater democracy.

Hong Kong Protests In Pictures

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The demonstrators had made five demands of Ms Lam and the Hong Kong Government, one of which was to kill the extradition bill.

Other demands include an inquiry into the conduct of police during the protests, clarification that the demonstrations were not riots, dropping charges against protestors and bringing in universal suffrage.

Ms Lam failed to meet any of the other demands made by protestors

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam
AP

It was not immediately clear if the announcement of the bill’s withdrawal would help end unrest. The reaction on the streets was sceptical. Many are furious at perceived police brutality and the number of arrests — 1,183 at the latest count.

A message was going around on social media that said: “What’s the difference between withdrawal of the bill on June 8 and September 4th? … three eyes … eight dead, more than 100 prosecuted, more than 1,000 arrested, countless wounded, and the injustice of the entire system and the police has been exposed.”

Ms Lam had previously suspended the proposed law, but this was not enough for the public who demanded that it be completely scrapped.

A protestor shouts at Police
EPA

The announcement of the bill's withdrawal saw a massive surge in the value of the Hong Kong, with the stock market closing up 3.90 per cent.

Daily protests in the Special Administrative Region of China have ended in violence with the local police being accused of heavy handed tactics.

Footage shared on social media last night appeared to show several officers pinning down and arresting a young protestor while attempts were made to shoo away photographers.

The withdrawal of the bill comes after Ms Lam had to fight off reports that she was going to stand down to try and resolve the crisis.

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